Newsletter - The Bill-Board

Gospel Glory, Inc.

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This revival was like stepping back in time.  The small country church treated each other just like one big family.  There was no children’s church or nursery.  The children and babies all sat in the sanctuary with the adults all the time and it was beautiful. These kids were well mannered, listened attentively, respected everyone and God’s house.  The very first night, Billy and I were sitting on the left back pew with our sound equipment when four-year-old Madison, came in with her family.  Madison stopped right behind our pew, slid her little arm around Billy’s neck and began patting him, trying to hug him but wasn’t quite tall enough to reach that high.  She stepped into the narrow side aisle and leaned in to give and get hugs.  She included us. She was happy to see us, happy to be in church, happy to be with friends and family.  Upon arrival for each service thereafter, Madison would stop at our pew (no matter how many folks were waiting behind her to find seats), lean in for her hugs, and then march to the very front row.  There she sat, grinning the whole service with her eyes glued on Billy as he preached and sang. Three–year-old Ashley kept stealing glances at Billy as well and scrunched up her little face with the cutest smile. All the children (boys and girls alike) greeted us every service, shaking hands, asking questions, or telling us about their day. Chatterbox McKenzie tickled me as she shared how she got a yellow sticker at school (which wasn’t a good thing but not as bad as getting a red sticker which would send you to the principal’s office) and blessed me as she enthusiastically sang solos. I was struck by the children’s full participation in the whole service.

The children came to the altar and prayed.  Billy noted 12 year-old Meredith’s tears and asked why.  She told him she was just so happy because she’d just asked Jesus into her heart and He’d forgiven all her sins. Her friend, Morgan stirred our hearts as she asked for prayer.  She said her Dad didn’t want to see or talk to her or have anything to do with her.  It’s been over a year and she misses him and didn’t know what to do to make it better and stop the hurting.  Morgan is such a beautiful, sweet, gentle soul. The pain in her gorgeous blue eyes and the catch in her soft little voice stirred remembrances of my own fatherless childhood.  I asked God what I could do personally for her in addition to prayer. God sent us to Hallmark where we found the softest white teddy bear.  The next evening, Billy and I gave her that bear telling her that God wanted her to keep her heart as soft as that bear for her father without bitterness or unforgiveness and not to give up hope that God would change his heart.  I shared with Morgan how my Dad left me when I was seven and I didn’t get to establish a relationship with him until after I was grown and married with two kids.  I got to tell her how Billy and I won him to the Lord and that since his death, 15 years ago, I now have his Bible, the same one Billy and I gave him to read after he gave his heart to Jesus. I read it every day and somehow it makes me feel closer to him. Please pray with us for Morgan and her father.  I never got to spend much time with my Dad here on earth.  He was already dying by the time I got to know him and had another family.  I often wished over the years that I could have had a Dad growing up and I still wish at times that I had loving parents not only for me but for my children and grandchildren. I believe I will have plenty of time in heaven to get to know my Dad better and I thank God that I was a tiny part in saving him from an eternity in hell.

God answered many prayers in this revival and it was an honor to be part of it. We mentioned in July’s newsletter how at an earlier concert here, God poured out His Spirit mightily and Pastor Allen thoroughly rejoiced as we played the song, “We Shall Wear A Robe and Crown” by Karen Peck.  We must tell you now what we didn’t tell you then. That particular song held dear meaning for Pastor Allen.  He used to sing that song with his son.  As I played that song that night, God told him that he would one day sing that song with his son again.  At the time, his grown son was running from God but Pastor Allen believed God and rejoiced in His promise. Since that time, his son gave his heart to Jesus, is actively involved in the church AND we got to hear them both sing “We Shall Wear A Robe and Crown”.  What a fabulous blessing for us! I wish every one of you could have seen and heard it.  God sometimes allows us to be a part of the work He does in the hearts of our beloved families.  How precious a gift!  As I understand it, Pastor Allen had preached a particular Sunday about the thief on the cross, asking Jesus to remember him.  His son went home and thought about it and asked Jesus into his own heart in his own home. He told his Dad that if there was still hope for the thief, there was hope for him.  Most of us have lost loved ones, family members that mistreat us, mock us, neglect, abuse, hurt or ignore us.  The pain, disillusionment, and disappointment can overwhelm us to the point that we focus on our pain instead of their need in our waking thoughts and prayers.  It is a trick that Satan has mastered to keep us from praying effectively for our loved ones and listening intently to God’s promises and instructions to us.  Jesus even modeled what our response should be yet it is so HARD to practice that.  It does take real practice, lots of it.  Pastor Allen practiced it and even now enjoys the rewards of that practice.  Pastor Allen told me that he played that song a lot and every time, he reminded God of His promise. Are there people in your life that God wants to use you in changing their lives for Him? Read Hebrews 5:8, Hosea 14:4, Ephesians 4:31-32, Colossians 3:12-14, Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Peter 3:13-17, Psalms 111 and 112 and practice 1 Thess. 5:14-19. These are just a few passages. You will find many more as you devote yourself to studying His Word and prayer.  Listen for that still small voice.  Ask God to reveal your heart to you and remove anything displeasing to Him.  Put your focus then on the needs of your lost loved ones and actively, daily intercede on their behalf . Remind God of His promises and obey His instructions.

The dates are set for our annual Christmas open house gatherings.  They are Friday December 11th, 6 p.m., Saturday December 12th, 5 p.m. and Saturday December 19th, 3 p.m.  The starting times are exactly that. Everyone is invited to come and go at your leisure.  Attend one or all three, it’s up to you.  We will be having very special guests with us on December 19th.  Pastor Walner, his wife Rosane and their two sons will be visiting from Paranapanema, Brazil. We want to allow as much time as possible for all of you to meet them. They are very dear to us and we know they will be to you as well.

Our list of needs seems to be ever increasing but rest assured the time you spend praying and fasting for these people is most appreciated.  The list includes Justin, Don, Steffany, Elizabeth, Aubrey, Mary, Rachel, Carl, Margie, Nancy, Kinley, Sandy, Linda, Kenny, Janice, Tom, Barb, Jim, Paul, Verona, Ed, Stan, Vicky, Kristin, Nicole, Wanda, Dorie, Helen, Hillary, Jeremy, Bill, Judi, Dinny, Mary Ellen, Jimmy, Matt, Jennifer, William, Brooke, Gene, Joyce, Crystal, Cheyenne, Renee, Sue, Missy, Arlene, Jackie, David, Melissa, Gary, Myrtle, Mona, Bonnie, Imogene, June, Delbert, Marty, Karen, the Baptist Church in Paranapanema and the peace of Israel.  We know that Gods listens and He is sending the answers.

We are always looking for new songs and Linda ran across a great one that sums up very well why we do what we do. The second verse and chorus proclaims, “There’s coming a day when every saint from every nation will lift their voice around the throne of God in a glorious celebration.  And every soul I win for Jesus is one more voice in that choir.  We’ll sing worthy is the Lamb, as lift Jesus higher.  That’s why I sing gospel music.  It’s not just words and melody.  There’s much more to it.  Just to see a tear fall down the face of a sinner that’s been saved by grace.  That’s why I sing gospel music.”  Even bus trials are more bearable just knowing one soul is rescued.

 

Until next month, Bill and Linda
billy.r.lewis@att.net